Yay for the Interwebs!

Hello all!!

It's been awhile, sorry. We just put internet into the transit house up in Basse so now I have a little bit more access to the rest of the world. I'm also trying to post some photos right now, so hopefully that will work and you will at least get to see some of what my life is like here!

We swore-in as real volunteers in January and then heading off to our different parts of the country. I the furthest east volunteer in country, and I love it! My town is amazing and my host family is even better. I might still be in the 'honeymoon' stage as they call it, but my goal is for that to last for two years!

Family: I have a youngish host dad and his wife live in the compound, along with his mom, sister (and sometimes her new husband), 19 yr old brother, and 17 yr old brother (in the loose sense). Samba (my 'dad/bro') has three kids and his sister Ami also has three living in the compound.

Story about family: Susana, whose name is actually Fanta but no one calls her that, came out for dinner one night wearing some very sassy skinny jeans and a tight white tee. Very different from her typical wrap skirt. She asked if I liked the jeans and I said of course yes! they're great. Then she announced 'Samba doesn't like it when I wear these' mind you Samba was sitting about 2m from me.

After dinner, Susana asked if I wanted to talk a walk over to her family's compound. I agreed and went inside to get a wrap for my hair (i like to wear it when I'm out around town.) We headed out of the compound me in my long skirt and head wrap, Susana in her skinny jeans, tight white tee, and saucy american style hair do. It was great!! As we walked through town Susana got WAY more attention that me... a first I think.

Work(ish): I've started a girls football (soccer) club at the high school in my town, mostly because the girls came and requested one. After the first meeting it had become a football, volleyball, basketball club. To think 5 yrs ago i was calling my brother to ask the rules of basketball and now I'm coaching a team!

Two weeks ago I went on trek with the forestry department of the gambia and another pc volunteer, to survey the land of the gambia and how communities use their natural resources. It was very similar to working with US gov in that it took a long time and there were way more people than necessary. I did make some good contacts with new forestry people, and will be able to work with them in the future. Hopefully with helping communities set up community forests and helping them manage their resources.

Women’s gardens are the big thing to work with in the ENRM sector, and there are several around. All need wells and fencing of some sort, but for now I’m just trying to help water, exchange seeds, and give pointers that I learned 2 months ago in training. This does however get me good access to vegetables, which are delicious.

Visitors: Please come!! It’s getting hotter now and the rains won’t come until June, but then it is supposedly very green, but difficult to get around on the roads. After the rains end in August and September it’s muggy but still green and apparently feels hotter than now. Then it starts to get cool. So the prime time to visit is beginning of Oct through Feb. I have nothing on my schedule yet, so let me know!!!

I miss and love you all and think of your often! Send me letters, it only takes about two months for mail to travel, but I love hearing about christmas in Feb!